Ahn Se-young's blunt defense 'Legend'S Soo Soo-hyun "I don't know much about it...The association needs to change to protect athletes"
Aug 05, 2024
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Commentator Bae Soo-hyun also joined the ranks of bitter criticism. World No. 1'An Se-young won 2-0 against China's He Bing Zhao (9th in the world) in the women's singles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Port Drachapel Stadium in Paris, France on the 5th (Korea time). Ahn Se-young, who was eliminated from the quarterfinals as the youngest badminton player at the last Tokyo Games, won her first Olympic medal and gold medal with the victory. It was the first Olympic women's singles gold medal in 28 years since Su Soo-hyun, who won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Bang, who watched Ahn Se-young's gold medal at the scene, looked thrilled. He said "I was more nervous today than when I played in the final in person" and "I'm impressed because Ahn Se-young did so well." Then "In the meantime, whenever badminton was held in the Olympics, everyone said 'Bang Soo-hyun, Su Soo-hyun'." This is Ahn's time. I did everything I could. From now on, there will be a lot of names called 'Ahn Se-young.'" Looking at Ahn Se-young, who said, `His heyday has not come yet.'"If he won the Olympic gold medal, that is his heyday. Isn't it number one in the world. You don't have to be humble anymore."
On the day of the festival, Ahn Se-young detonated a bomb. Even before the competition, Ahn Se-young, who said `I have a word in my mind,' said "My injury was worse than I thought. I thought the national team was too complacent. I was very disappointed in the national team. I'm sorry that I made Sujeong-sam look around a lot and have a hard time to make my dream come true. After this moment, I thought it would be difficult to continue with the national team"It was a shocking remark.
Ahn Se-young continued her outspoken remarks at the following official press conference. "I think it's cruel for a player to not be able to participate in the Olympics just because he plays for the national team," he said. Badminton has different doubles and I don't think players should be disqualified. I think the association is blocking everything. I feel like I'm neglecting under the name of freedom, and I think badminton can make a lot of progress, but I think it's time to look back on the fact that there is only one gold medal" he said.
"I don't know the details because I haven't talked to Se-young yet," Bang said. `If Se-young should have actually rested after the knee injury, but the Badminton International Federation will pay a fine of $5,000 (about 6.83 million won). So despite the injury, I had to continue playing at the Indonesian Open and Singapore Open. It must have been very difficult." Then "There must be a change in terms of player protection."," he added.
Finally, Commissioner Bang said "Se-young has been under a lot of pressure and must have been hard as she played with injuries until now," and "Since the big competition just ended, it is necessary to rest well and organize your body and mind well now."
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
